CRIME and the fear of crime are top items on many people's agendas - and therefore on the minds of politicians too.

But council tax bills and the size of the hole they make in your pocket are also important concerns to households throughout East Lancashire.

So when Lancashire's Chief Constable Paul Stephenson says he needs 500 more officers to operate effectively his proposals have to be looked at carefully.

Especially when they will put tax bills up by an average of more than £22 for every Band D household.

Lancashire Police Authority has already moved to gather evidence against claims that people will not stand for such a rise by carrying out a six week public consultation which showed 64 per cent of those questioned said they would be happy to pay the extra cash for this purpose.

But if the majority of the public are in favour of the move the authority still has to convince a government which could effectively stop them by capping a large rise.

Leading County Coun Geoff Roper says the authority is trapped "between the government and the wishes of the people."

The wishes of the people should, of course, be paramount but if Lancashire police get the 500 extra officers they will be expected to make a real, visible difference - and make it fast.